Jonathan Hargis
Jonathan Hargis, 52, had schizophrenia, and his daughter Haley Hargis says he had more good days than bad and was not violent during his episodes. He had left his home in Ohio to care for a family member. In March 2021 he died at the Overton County Jail in Tennessee, about 29 hours after being taken there from a hospital, when officers tried to force him into a restraint chair. The family's lawsuit says officers pressed on his back while he lay face down and alleges excessive force. The autopsy listed asphyxia as the cause and homicide as the manner, and the county and city settled the lawsuit for $3.5 million without admitting wrongdoing, while a TBI investigation found no criminal wrongdoing by the officers.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed; neglect alleged). The autopsy ruled the death a homicide from asphyxia, and his family's lawsuit says officers used excessive force, including pressing on his back while he lay face down; the family also alleges he was not given needed care for his schizophrenia, and the county and city admitted no wrongdoing before settling for $3.5 million.
Reported by: autopsy report; Overton County Jail administrator (the agency that held him); his family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers); Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (outside investigators).
Lawsuit: His family sued Overton County and the city over his death and the lawsuit settled for $3.5 million, with the county and city admitting no wrongdoing.